Chapter 72: The True Identity of 'Solomon'!
"Huffft..."
Akira let out a long, heavy sigh. His face clearly betrayed his lack of composure.
Humans truly were 'mysterious' creatures. So many 'miracles' that were theoretically regarded as mere 'possibilities' had, one day, actually been brought into reality.
It wasn't just in the world of Fate; in countless other worlds, the wonders and possibilities born from the human race were beyond measure.
「 Are you finished? 」
From Chaldea's end, Romani's tone had clearly become three times more anxious.
"Yes. As expected, it's truly magnificent—'CHALDEAS.' Simply admirable."
「 Then, the true identity of 'King Solomon'... who is he, really? 」
"Let's put it this way: that 'person' is indeed King Solomon, it's just that the inside has changed."
「 Truly King Solomon? The inside has changed? 」
On the other side, Romani back at Chaldea immediately sank into deep thought after hearing those words.
Da Vinci, standing beside him, was equally perplexed. As a genius, she quite enjoyed playing with riddles, but now she was facing a mystery that even she couldn't unravel, and she didn't like that feeling one bit.
Through the communication device, Romani caught sight of Kingu standing next to Akira.
In an instant, a flash of 'understanding' flickered in Romani's eyes. Even though he had lost his powers of omniscience and omnipotence, he was by no means a fool.
「 Hey, what do you mean by that? Could it be... Solomon Alter? 」
An 'Alter' is the other side of a Heroic Spirit, much like a 'light side' and a 'dark side.' Both are part of the same entity but represent different possibilities.
The most famous Alter Servant was King Arthur (Artoria Pendragon). After becoming an Alter and falling into darkness, she immediately transformed into a cold tyrant.
Theoretically, all Heroic Spirits possessed an Alter side.
「 That's impossible. If it's Solomon, then whether he is an Alter or not, nothing would change. 」
Even before Shin Akira could answer, Romani spoke up, flatly denying Da Vinci's guess.
"Hey, what do you mean, Romani?"
Looking at Romani, Da Vinci frowned slightly. Why was Romani so certain about something like that?
It had to be understood that Heroic Spirits who jumped out of the axis of time—even beings like 'Phantom Heroic Spirits'—were things that humans couldn't fully comprehend, and the knowledge they possessed was extremely limited.
"Da Vinci, I will explain this to you later. Right now, I want to hear the answer."
At this moment, Romani's face was deathly serious. Such an expression... such a grave attitude was something Da Vinci was seeing for the very first time.
Back in Mesopotamia, Akira smiled. No one had the right to utter those words except Romani himself, the true King Solomon.
Because no one understands a person better than themselves. He was different from the King Solomon recorded in the history books.
The King Solomon of this world was a pitiable individual. From the moment of his birth, he had no sense of self; everything had been preordained.
Whether it was becoming a king or creating the first 'Summoning Technique' to control the Seventy-Two Pillars of the Demon Gods.
He even possessed the 'Ten Rings' bestowed by God, granting him endless strength, authority, wisdom, and sovereign power.
Yet despite all that, there was one thing King Solomon never possessed: an identity of his own.
He was like a machine. Because he could 'see' the future, he only did what was necessary and required. Beyond that, he cared for nothing else.
Whether it was a battle, a famine, or a disaster; he could see the outcome.
Because he knew the result, he took no action. But to the people suffering through those disasters, they only saw their king as cold and heartless.
"It's true, the figure preparing to carry out the 'Incineration of Humanity' is not what you would call Solomon Alter, but the original Solomon himself. There is no doubt about that."
「 Then, what is his true identity? 」
"His true identity, huh. It's quite simple, really. After King Solomon died, the Seventy-Two Pillars of the Demon Gods sealed within his corpse began to grow an independent consciousness."
「 Could it be... 」
"Exactly. The Seventy-Two Pillars of the Demon Gods—the system created by the King of Magecraft, Solomon, to 'advance the principles of truth more effectively (Human Order Correction Formula)'—has now transformed into the 'Human Order Incineration Formula.' One has to admit, it's quite ironic."
Akira didn't continue playing riddles and instead directly exposed Goetia's true form.
And those words, upon reaching Romani's ears, instantly caused all the 'dots' to connect.
Such a situation was indeed possible. Claiming to be 'Solomon,' possessing Solomon's Magic Circuits, even being able to command the Demon God Pillars—combined with various other clues and evidence, this answer was perfectly logical.
「 What is his name? 」
"The lamentation and rage over the relationship between King Solomon and humanity, and the cursed effort set in motion to overcome the 'human imperfection' that King Solomon always ignored. His name is the Human Order Incineration Formula: Goetia."
Silence followed. It was a mental turmoil that couldn't be calmed for a long time.
Contrasting his calm exterior, a massive, violent wave was crashing through Romani's heart at that moment.
If all of this were true, then this Goetia possessed a power that was certainly no weaker than his own when he was alive.
Forget his current self; even Solomon in his Heroic Spirit form might not be a match for Goetia. The only one who could stop Goetia was... a living Solomon.
"By the way, the information about Goetia isn't over yet."
「 What else is there? 」
"Goetia isn't just the collective consciousness of the Seventy-Two Pillars of the Demon Gods."
「 Hmm? What do you mean? 」
"Goetia is one of the Seven Evils of Humanity—a Beast that holds the principle of 'Pity' (Beast I). That is his current true form."
「 What did you say? One of the Evils of Humanity, 'Beast I'? 」
"Yes. His rank is on the same level as my mother, Tiamat. Both are Evils of Humanity, and he is the final enemy you must face."
All the information had been delivered by Akira.
And at that moment, inside the Ziggurat's hall, Fujimaru Ritsuka, Mash, Gilgamesh, and even Merlin were all stunned.
Especially Merlin. He never expected that the mastermind behind everything was another Beast.
Involuntarily, Merlin glanced at the small white animal perched on Mash's shoulder.
Fou, whose real name was Cath Palug. Don't let his adorable appearance fool you; this little creature was also one of the Evils of Humanity, just like Goetia and Tiamat.
Known as Primate Murder, "Beast IV," holding the principle of 'Comparison.'
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